Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
India, the 2022 Thomas Cup champions, produced a dominant display against higher-ranked Chinese Taipei to win 3-0 in the quarter-final at Horsens, Denmark. The convincing victory sends the team into the semifinals and also ensures they will finish with a medal at the Thomas and Uber Cup 2026. India’s sharp form leaves little doubt about their title momentum.
At least 17 earthquakes between magnitude 2.5 and 4.4 struck near Area 51 within 24 hours. While earthquake swarms can happen, several tremors were unusually shallow, prompting wild speculation about underground activity linked to the former Nevada Test Site. No evidence has surfaced to confirm fears of secret tests or anything extraterrestrial.
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Wall Street’s Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq opened higher on Friday, building on their strongest monthly gains in years. Investors leaned into confidence from robust earnings, even as uncertainty around oil price volatility lingered. The early uptick signals buyers are still willing to chase momentum despite commodity-related risks.
The All India NPS Employees’ Federation has met the 8th Pay Commission leadership, seeking major changes for federal staff. It wants NPS subscribers under the central government to be able to opt into the Old Pension Scheme after meeting service-period conditions. The group also pushed to raise the retirement age for central government teachers to 65.
The Supreme Court has granted anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera in a politically charged case tied to allegations that he held multiple passports and offshore assets. The matter escalated after the Assam CM’s wife filed the claims, and Khera’s bail plea had earlier been rejected by the Gauhati High Court, prompting the latest top-court decision amid sharp political reactions.
Minneapolis Fed president Neel Kashkari said the Fed should openly acknowledge the risk of additional rate hikes if the U.S.-backed conflict involving Iran changes the inflation outlook through an oil shock. In his dissent at this week’s meeting, Kashkari argued that maintaining the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation target may require “potentially a series” of hikes depending on how prices respond.
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Lord’s Mark Industries has won Central Licensing Authority clearance for its LordsMed HIV 1&2 Self Test, joining a limited group of just nine global companies with Class D in-vitro diagnostic self-test approval. Exports are slated to start in June 2026 to Africa, the EU and South America, with the firm targeting major international markets.
In 1979, Steve Jobs toured Xerox PARC and saw a computer interface built around a mouse, windows, and icons. The lesson was simple but transformative: computing should feel intuitive for everyday users, not just specialists. That shift in Apple’s mindset directly shaped the Macintosh and helped move personal computers from technical curiosities to mainstream tools.
A rector explosion at a pharma plant in Nalgonda district near Hyderabad injured eight people, with one reportedly in critical condition. Reports say the blast occurred due to pressure building in the equipment. Emergency responders rushed the injured for treatment, while authorities are investigating the cause and whether safety protocols were followed at the facility.
A small plane crashed Thursday night in Wimberley in Texas Hill Country, about 40 miles southwest of Austin, according to Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra. In a Facebook post, the county official said all five people aboard died in the crash. Authorities have not released further details about the cause or aircraft information.
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In today’s ETtech Top 5, Tim Cook said India is one of Apple’s biggest growth engines, underscoring the company’s expanding focus on the market. Meanwhile, Palo Alto Networks is set to acquire Portkey, signaling fresh momentum in cybersecurity. Together, the moves highlight how tech giants are doubling down across consumer devices and security services.
A 26-year-old unemployed Indian man, Iraganaboyina Chanda, allegedly died by suicide in the United States after struggling to secure employment following his post-graduation. Reports say he was under severe financial stress, with a debt-ridden father adding to the pressure. The incident has sparked concern over mental health support for overseas job seekers.
A bridge under construction in Bantalab, Jammu and Kashmir, collapsed on Friday, triggering fears that 5 to 7 laborers may be trapped under debris. Emergency teams, including the Army and local police, have rushed to the site to carry out search and rescue operations amid ongoing efforts to reach the workers.
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Beth Hammack dissented against the Fed’s decision to keep an easing bias, saying it is no longer appropriate due to uncertainty in the economic and inflation outlook. Her stance highlights a growing internal debate on whether policy messaging should lean toward rate cuts while key indicators remain difficult to read.
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Karnataka’s cabinet has cleared a Rs 600 crore plan for upgrading minority housing over two years. Supporters frame it as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s bid to rebuild trust after Muslim leaders voiced anger over Congress’s handling of the Davanagere South bypoll, alleging community figures were sidelined.
Indian carmakers kicked off FY27 with a strong jump in passenger vehicle sales in April. Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, and Kia posted standout performances, pulling domestic sales higher. Analysts attribute the uptick to policy and financial tailwinds including GST 2.0, repo rate cuts, and income tax relief, signaling a promising beginning for the auto sector.
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman says people are finally using the platform’s search more actively, with weekly users up 30% year over year. The increase signals that recent improvements may be making it easier for users to find content and communities faster, potentially strengthening discovery and engagement across Reddit.
Arunachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister Pema Khandu says the Northeast can no longer be defined by insurgency or isolation, pointing to a shift toward national development. Speaking in New Delhi, he cited hydropower potential, rising tourism, and governance reforms alongside investments in education, people, and new opportunities as the drivers of the state’s momentum.
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Scientists studying Greenland sharks say some individuals may live for centuries, with estimates topping 390 years and possibly reaching 500. A 2016 study used radiocarbon dating of eye lenses to determine age. Slow growth and late maturity in cold, deep waters leave them especially vulnerable, offering a rare look at long timescales in the ocean.
New research says Africa’s breakup is accelerating, as the East African Rift System enters a critical “necking” stage. Thinning crust is helping set the conditions for a new ocean basin to form over millions of years. The study also reshapes how scientists view early human fossil preservation in the Turkana Rift Zone.
Lodha Developers will roll out new housing projects worth about Rs 22,000 crore in FY27, spanning the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Pune, Bengaluru and Delhi-NCR. The company is targeting 17% growth in sales bookings, with a projected Rs 24,000 crore in booking value, signaling an aggressive push to scale up launches and demand across key markets.
Delhi Capitals batter KL Rahul called surpassing MS Dhoni in IPL run charts a “nice” personal milestone, but insists it’s not his main target. With an eye on bigger achievements, Rahul emphasized that cricket’s real measure is team success—while also hinting at a long-term trophy mission as he looks ahead to IPL 2026.
A flash flood warning has been issued as severe storms are expected to bring heavy rainfall across Texas, Louisiana, and parts of the U.S. The heaviest impacts are forecast for the Southeast on Saturday, with cooling conditions moving west to east in the storm’s aftermath over the weekend. Residents are urged to prepare for sudden, dangerous flooding.
President Droupadi Murmu visited the Army Training Command (ARTRAC) and urged it to raise the Indian Army’s operational preparedness. Praising ARTRAC’s drone training, niche technologies, and digitization efforts, she said the command is central to warfare concepts, resource development, and international engagements—framing stronger training as key to military glory and a developed India.
The Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab has moved a Confidence Motion in the State Assembly, following the defection of seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs to the Bharatiya Janata Party. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann insisted the party remains strong and is steadily expanding its reach across India, even as the political shock raises questions inside the ruling ranks.
The Tripura Assembly passed a motion urging the Centre to reintroduce the Women’s Reservation Bill. While the ruling BJP and allies backed the move, CPI(M) and Congress opposed it. The proposal seeks to reserve one-third of seats for women in Parliament and state assemblies, with lawmakers sharply divided over how it should be implemented and the politics behind it.
A 22-year-old passenger, Mahesh Kumar Chauhan, was detained at Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport after security screening found a country-made pistol in his baggage. Chauhan was set to fly to Dubai. Airport authorities alerted police, and an Arms Act case has been registered. Investigations are ongoing.
Moderna’s MRNA stock jumped in the US after the pharma company reported results that beat Wall Street expectations. The company posted a loss of $2.52 per share, improving from the prior year and well above the analyst estimate of a $3.96 loss. The surprise miss-to-beat shift sparked buying momentum.
Rajasthan Royals, riding momentum with six wins in nine matches, host Delhi Capitals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on the day of their IPL 2026 clash. RR, led by Riyan Parag, look to extend their winning run, while DC, captained by Axar Patel and sitting seventh, fight to climb the table. The match airs on Star Sports Network and streams on JioHotstar.
The Pentagon has reached agreements with seven leading AI companies to embed advanced models into the Defense Department’s secure networks. The goal is to improve soldiers’ decision-making through faster, better data analysis, marking a shift toward an AI-first military. The rollout also highlights tighter security scrutiny, with Anthropic facing restrictions.
A troop of monkeys suddenly appeared on the active runway at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow, triggering an unusual security breach. An IndiGo aircraft headed for Raipur was forced to abruptly halt takeoff. Airport authorities and wildlife management teams were immediately called in to manage the runway and restore safe operations.
Delhi is testing barrierless tolling through Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) at the Mundka toll plaza. Vehicles will pass through without stopping while tolls are deducted automatically via FASTag. The system is expected to go live by mid-May, cutting waiting times and easing congestion, with plans to expand from Mundka to 17 plazas and further.
India and the UK held a virtual meeting to accelerate trade and investment, focusing on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement inked last year. The deal is expected to expand bilateral commerce sharply by granting 99% of Indian exports duty-free access to the UK, while India will cut tariffs on a range of British goods, aiming to unlock faster growth.
Identical twins Srishti and Drishti Kumari from Hazaribag, Jharkhand, have jointly topped ICSE Class 10 exams with the exact same score of 97.6%. Even their subject marks align: both secured 97 in Hindi and English. The striking part, sources say, is that their career goals also reportedly remain the same.
Elon Musk, in his ongoing testimony tied to the OpenAI and ChatGPT dispute, repeatedly called OpenAI a “charity” and claimed key leaders, including Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, later reneged on an early promise to preserve the nonprofit model. Musk framed the shift as more than corporate strategy, warning it fueled an “existential” AI risk.
India’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $4.82 billion to $698.49 billion as of April 24, reversing the prior week’s rise. Reserve Bank interventions aimed at managing rupee volatility amid global uncertainty are in focus. The decline was driven mainly by reductions in foreign currency assets and gold reserves, despite reserves reaching a record high in February.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have brought in RS Ambrish as an injury replacement for Shivam Mavi after the pacer was ruled out with a groin injury. The move covers the remainder of the IPL 2026 season. Ambrish, described as an all-rounder, was previously part of India’s title-winning group, adding experience as SRH reshuffle their bowling plans.
From May 1, 2026, the UK’s Renters’ Rights Act will overhaul tenant protections. It abolishes “no-fault” evictions, limits upfront rent to one month, and bans rental bidding wars. Landlords must also reasonably consider pet requests, while fixed-term contracts give way to flexible rolling tenancies—aimed at boosting security and stability for renters.
OpenAI says a newer AI model started inserting goblins and gremlins into unrelated answers. The cause, it found, was training rewards that unintentionally favored metaphor-heavy language, letting the pattern spread across outputs. OpenAI has now tightened guidance in its Codex tool, instructing the AI to avoid such creature references unless they’re truly relevant.
Noida International Airport in Jewar will begin commercial flight operations on June 15, 2026. The airport’s launch follows PM Narendra Modi’s inauguration and subsequent approvals. IndiGo has been named to operate the first flight from the new airport, marking a major milestone for the region’s aviation connectivity.
Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce are reportedly frontrunners to sign Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah if he leaves the Premier League club at season’s end. Goal.com cites a growing push from the Turkish giants as Salah’s future draws renewed attention. With Europe’s top clubs watching, the next move could reshape the attacker’s next chapter.
Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Siddaramaiah attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling a sharp rise in commercial LPG cylinder prices a major shock to citizens on Labour Day. They argued the hike will ripple through business costs and daily household expenses, likely making common food items more expensive and adding pressure on ordinary workers.
US markets opened mixed as global investors reacted to shifting geopolitical risk in the Middle East. Brent crude steadied near $111 per barrel after Thursday’s sharp volatility, easing some pressure from earlier fear-driven trading. Still, the week’s uncertainty kept sentiment split, with different regions moving in different directions rather than converging on a single trend.
The 8th Central Pay Commission has released its meeting schedule for May and June 2026 across Hyderabad, Srinagar, and Ladakh. Employee unions and organizations can submit pay, pension, and allowance demands through an online process. The memorandum submission deadline has been extended to May 31, 2026, alongside appointment booking conditions that applicants must follow carefully.
Government sources have hinted that a petrol and diesel price increase may be on the table soon. The warning comes as oil companies run up losses, while retail fuel rates have been frozen for four years. With global crude oil prices surging, state-owned firms face mounting pressure—raising the possibility that consumers could pay more in the coming days.
The Election Commission of India has ordered a probe into allegations of missing booth footage linked to Jahangir Khan’s Falta constituency in West Bengal. The move comes amid claims of EVM tampering and voter obstruction, with officials proposing up to 30 repolls. Investigators are expected to review what happened during the polling and assess whether evidence gaps could affect results.
Tim Cook, the outgoing Apple CEO, called India a “huge opportunity” as Mac, iPad, and iPhone sales keep growing at double-digit rates. He said Apple’s current smartphone and PC market share is still small, meaning room to expand with India’s growing middle class and many first-time Apple buyers. But supply constraints for some Macs and iPhones, plus rising memory costs, may pressure results.
The US Navy is ramping up artificial intelligence to detect Iranian mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route. Under a new contract, Domino Data Lab will help speed up training for underwater drones to recognize new mine types. The effort could shrink a six-month training cycle to just days, boosting readiness in a fast-evolving threat.
Tensions inside Iran’s administration are escalating, with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reportedly seeking to dismiss Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. They allege he has bypassed civilian leadership and taken directions from Revolutionary Guard commander Ahmad Vahidi, intensifying a widening power struggle.
Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched PMGSY-IV in Odisha’s Rayagada with funding for 827 road projects spanning 1,701 km. The roads are set to connect 898 habitations with all-weather access for the first time, aiming to improve connectivity to essential services and accelerate socio-economic development.
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